UPDATE (Wednesday, March 18, 2020): FAITH Food Pantry is in the process of updating its process of getting food, toiletries, pet care items, etc into the hands of its clients. Donors will also have a new way of dropping off items at the town's food pantry. Details are being worked on, and will be shared ASAP.

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By Shannon Hicks

Like restaurants across the tri-state region, FAITH Food Pantry is offering curbside only service today. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers are doing what they can to continue putting food into the hands of those who need it while keeping themselves and the public safe.

Volunteers at the nondenominational pantry, located in the parking lot of St Rose Church, 46 Church Hill Road, are operating on their regular schedule this morning. The pantry opened at 9:30 am and plans to remain open until 11:30 am.

Clients and those making donations are all being asked to remain in their vehicles.

Volunteers have pre-sorted a week’s worth of groceries for clients, and will wheel wagons to each vehicle as they pull up. There is a pop-up tent with a white canopy to the north of the pantry’s building; volunteers have wagons filled and ready to go as soon as a client pulls up.

Likewise, those who are dropping off donations are being asked to remain in their vehicles. Roll down a vehicle’s window, and indicate to a volunteer where the donations are located and a volunteer will get them out of vehicles.

The pantry also expects to have its regular operating hours on Thursday, from 6 to 7:30 pm.

FAITH Food Pantry President Lee Paulsen told The Newtown Bee Tuesday morning that she and volunteers — who are now supplemented by town employees from the Department of Social Services, et al — will continue to operate “for as long as possible.

“We will continue this curbside operation on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” she said. “We are low on many donations, though, so we still need help from anyone who can offer donations.”

Dry goods on Tuesday morning were being supplemented with just-purchased bread, deli meats, chicken, and other fresh offerings.

Residents should continue to watch The Newtown Bee, in print and online, and FAITH Food Pantry’s Facebook page for specific requests. For additional information visit newtownfoodpantry.org or call 203-837-0816.